Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-05-20

| er by n common sorrow and hand in hand
united In peace, they crossed over the river IN
TO that higher and better life. SO too the
North and South, foes In honorable war,
| drawn together by common loss, have Joined
hands In peace over the graves OF their noble
dead. and have entered uron the enjoyment oi
| higher and better National life. Therefore
how appropriate 1t is that when we visit the
cemeteries OF the country for the purpose OF
honoring the dead soldiers, thaswe should rec
0gnize them ne the Nations dead and cover
| them all alike with the eiublems OF our love,
asking not whether the sleeping hero followed
the banner OF victory or closed MS eyes in eter
nal sleep as the banner which he followed was
| lowered In defeat. For 1t matters not now
whether he wore the blue or gray, or whether
he died of lingering disease IN the hospital, or
| fell In ranks on the pine-clad mountain side,
| or down in the green valley, where the spark
ling waters cool the blooming lily, he was our
| an American soldier.
It is said that there is principle implanted
In the human breast for the highest and noblest
purposes, that, by attractions which we can
not always explain. but which we
never can resist, draws us together into
bands and companies OF kindred feel-
ing. Such is the principle which has drawn
together this large coneourse OF people. with
one mpulfe we are collected here to-day to
properly recognize the noble purpose OF our
former townsman in the erection OF this mon
ument.
The original intention OF Mr.. Latham was to
erect this monument to the unknown Federal
and Confederate dead. The idea was National
In scope. IL was sublime in conception and
execution by the fact that the unknown Fed
eral dead had been removed to tho National
Cemeteries. And while the inscription upon
this marble shaft would indicate that II was
erected to the memory OF those whose dust ia
mingled beneath this sod, the idea which led
to its building is n grAnder monument still and
is sacred TO the memory OF every soldier who
gave up his lifo IN the valorous discharge OF du-
Adj 10 In xnha a
wore the blue or the gray. And who can look
upon this scene and not feel generous and
noble impulse stirring his soulY
"For when in sympathy we dwell
In nearness TO a noble aim
No power within our hearts can quell
The longing wish to share Its fame"
And whatever may have been your attitude
In reference to the late war, this Is an occasion
In which you can fully participate. For while
the generous builder OF this monument would
honor his dead Comrades he has not been
unmindful OF the few Federal soldiers
who are at rest In this Cemetery.
They have been ntly remembered Dy
federal general who fell in the early days of the
war at the battle Of Perryville. and upon his
grave are beautiful and costly flowers placed
there by the same generous hand that erected
this monument. And over TO my left sleeps
another soldier who wore the "blue" with cred
II TO himself and who after the war died IN
Hopkinsville without money or friends. lie
was buried by charity and now sleeps in the
potter's field, awaiting the judgment day
without head or foot stone to mark the spot.
Unwept, unhon0red and unBung, he was laid
away and soon forgotten by thOse who knew
him In life. But he was not forgotten by ALL
There was one man beneath Heaven who sought
among those lowly graves for the last resting
place OF all that was mortal of man whose
form was associated with hin early recollections
Of his native home, and whose best days were
spent upon the battle field fighting for the right
as he Understood, and having found that grave,
this man has caused the flag for which poor
I'd Kelly fought to be placed at the head and
floral tribute 10 be laid upon his grave as an
evidence OF his appreciation OF the valor and
heroism of an American soldier.
In the namo OF these noble deeds, IN the name
OF John @. Latham and in the name OF all the
people OF Hopkinsville, welcome you TO q full
and free participation In the ceremonies OF this
day.